ROB THE VOTE

Allen West wins request for early-voting recount

County admitted double-counting some ballots, ignoring others on election night

Published: 11/17/2012 at 10:12 AM

FORT PIERCE — (AP) A divided St. Lucie County canvassing board decided Friday night to recount all 37,379 ballots from early voting in the tight congressional race between Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West and Democrat Patrick Murphy.

The 2-1 decision is at least a temporary victory for West, who trails Murphy by less than 2,000 votes or about 0.6 percent in unofficial returns from congressional District 18, which includes St. Lucie, Martin and northern Palm Beach counties.

West has not conceded and has sought a recount of early votes after the St. Lucie County elections office admitted double-counting some votes and ignoring others on election night.The recount will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday.